Light with universally mounted axis for body panels and the like

ABSTRACT

A light fixture having a beam directing axis adapted to be selectively positioned as required when mounted in a panel unpredictably disposed at varying angles, both simple and compound, and comprised of a universally revolvable sphere-shaped body held captive between clamp-rings secured to any panel thickness at an opening therein provided for the exposure therethrough of a beam directive means housed within said body.

United States Patent 51 3,679,890

Pool [45] July 25, 1972 [54] LIGHT WITH UNIVERSALLY 3,100,085 8/1963 Dover ..240/8.3

MOUNTED AXIS FOR BODY PANELS 1 33 22? gigs; {s

, essmann AND THE LIKE 2,128,461 8/1938 Johnson ..240/41 [72] Inventor: Clarence Pool, 8321 Passons Blvd, Pico Rivera, Calif. 90660 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser Assistant Examiner-C. E. Snee, Ill [22] May 1970 Attorney-William l-l. Maxwell [21] Appl. No.: 39,644

[57] ABSTRACT 521 US. Cl. ..240/4l.6, 240/616, 240/78 HA A light fixmre having a beam directing axis adapted to be [5]] Int.Cl. ..F2lv l3/06 Selectively Positioned as required when moumed in a Panel 52 Field ofSearch ..240/8.3,4l.6,57,61,611] Predictably dispmd at ""Y ansles' simple and 240/6Ll2 6H3 616 78 H 78 compound, and comprised of a universally revolvable sphereshaped body held captive-between clamp-rings secured to any 56 t i panel thickness at an opening therein provided for the expo- 1 Re erences C ted sure therethrough of a beam directive means housed within UNITED STATES PATENTS Said y- 1,408,149 2/1922 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Vallot ..240/6l.l2 X

fivmwvroe GARE/v06 Pa PATENTEOJUL 25 m2 LIGHT WITH UNIVERSALLY MOUNTED AXIS FOR BODY PANELS AND THE LIKE The effective use of light from incandescent lamps and the like requires directive control, usually from a rather small point or area of illumination. A best example is the filament of a light bulb, which is small and from which light radiates. Obviously, the radiating light is correctively directed as circumstances require by means of reflection and/or defraction, the light rays being bent so as to travel in the direction to best suit the purposes intended. Generally, light rays are directed along an effective axis a, the light rays being more or less concentrated along said axis, either convergently or divergently as may be required, it being of import that there is an effective axis a along which useful light rays are projected.

The projection of light rays has a multitude of uses and one of which is illustrated in the drawings of this disclosure, namely the use of vehicle lighting and specifically tail lighting. However, due to the variations in vehicle body shapes, the panels thereof at the positions required for the mounting of lights are not always properly disposed for the required disposition of the effective axis a hereinabove referred to. That is, the body contours of the vehicle often present panels disposed at varying and compound angles, and all of which usually requires the manufacture of special light fixtures in each instance. Although special fixtures are practical in the reproduction of identical installations, there are nevertheless many instances wherein customized installations are demanded. For example, there is an infinite variety of body shapes involved in custom and limited production vehicles, and to which it is necessary to apply lighting disposed along prescribed axes. A best example is a tail light (for whatever specific purpose) that must be disposed horizontally on an axis parallel to the longitudinal center line of the vehicle body. However, the usual panel plane to which the fixture is to be applied is more likely to be disposed at an unpredictable compounded angle. Consequently, it is virtually impossible to acquire any one fixed position fixture that will be suitable in any given instance, unless specifically designed and manufactured for that installation. Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a universally mounted light fixture for body panels and the like wherein the effective light projecting axis is selectively positioned and permanently maintained as circumstances require.

An object of this invention is to provide an omni adjustable light of the type hereinabove referred to wherein infinite ad justment is made for alignment of the effective light'projecting axis. regardless of the mounting panel disposition within practical limits. The fixture body is spherical with the beam directive means therein disposed along the effective axis 0, having a projection lens at the exterior pole of the body and having energizing connections at the interior pole of the body, there being an unobstructed spherical surface between the poles for freedom of adjustment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sphereshaped fixture body from which the light source emanates at the center and the body which is advantageously made in half shells that are mated and joined at the center plane normal to mount a reflector operative to beam light along the effective axis a.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a combined bezel and panel mounting wherein the fixture body is held captive as to position and is also held within an opening provided therefor to project through a body panel. With the present invention, clamp-rings are tightened one against the other with opposed tapered engagement upon the uniform and opposite hemispheres of the fixture body. The clamp-rings are secured one to the other by fasteners that jointly secure one of said clamp-rings to the vehicle body surrounding the opening therein. whereby both installation and fixed disposition of the clamped fixture body is simultaneously effected.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation illustrating a portion of a vehicle body and the installation of the light fixture.

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3--3 on FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation taken as indicated by line 44 on FIG. 3.

The drawings and especially FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a typical problem installation wherein the panel portion to which light fixtures F are mounted are angularly disposed, in this instance the compound angles. As shown, an axis b that is normal to the panel portion is, in each instance, upwardly and outwardly divergent as it extends rearwardly. However, it will be observed that the effective axes a of each light fixture F is horizontal and parallel with the central longitudinal axis 0 of the vehicle V, and this horizontal-parallel feature of the axes a is maintainable regardless of the finite variations which will occur in different vehicle bodies, only one of which is shown. Thus, the effective axes a are disposed so as to project light rearwardly as circumstances require and selectively independent from the angular panel disposition whatever it may be.

Referring now to the panel of a typical vehicle V in which the light fixture F is installed, a standard thickness is usually encountered but with substantial variations. For example, a fiber-glass laminated body has a substantial nominal thickness which varies considerably, and at extreme other extremes a sheet metal body has a minimum and rather uniform thickness. It is the adaptability to this wide range of panel thicknesses which is contemplated, and wherein an opening 10 can be roughed out without perfection and which nevertheless accommodates the light fixture F which itself provides the perfect surrounding detail. The opening 10 is proportioned to freely pass the body B of the fixture, preferably with moderate clearance as shown and so that the body B is free to revolve without contacting the panel when assembled within the clamp-rings R that embrace the vehicle panel when locking the body B in a selectively revolved position.

In accordance with the invention, the fixture body B isa truncated sphere, having portions thereof removed at diametrically opposite exterior and interior poles, said poles being coincidental with the effective axis 0 along which the beam directing means C operates. An unobvious and advantageous feature of the light fixture F is the location of the light source at the center of the spherical body B, and to the end that pro jected light will predictably eminate from a point selectively chosen or marked upon the vehicle panel and about which the opening 10 is concentrically formed. As a result, the light source does not move and cannot be displaced regardless of the angular displacements imposed when revolving the body B into a required position. Accordingly, the fixture body B has a spherical exterior wall 15 and a chamber 20 therein to accommodate an incandescent light bulb 25 or the like with its light source or filament 26 held positioned at the center of the sphere. In carrying out the invention, the body B is comprised of two half-shells joined together in a plane normal to the axis a and intersecting the center of the sphere. Thus, there is an exterior hemisphere 16 and an interior hemisphere 17 which are cemented or otherwise fastened together at said plane of joinder with the light source D captured therebetween in working position.

The exterior hemisphere I6 is made of transparent light transmitting material (appropriately tinted) and the exterior pole thereof along the axis a is truncated or otherwise devoted to beam directive means C. As shown, approximately of the spherical pole is utilized in the integral formationof light reflecting Fresnal Lenses l8 that collect light eminating from the center of sphere and beam it along axis a. And, a prismatic ring 19 surrounds the lens 18 area, a ring area approximately 10 in width, and that refracts light either from the exterior or from a reflector 21 within the chamber 20. The reflector ring 19 is comprised of a multiplicity of next adjacent three sided prisms that have an obverse light receiving face 22 and a reverse light transmitting and reflecting face comprised of said multiplicity of prismatic reflecting surfaces 24. While the specific nature and configuration of the reflecting face is not controlling insofar as this invention is concerned, a preferred form is that which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,022,639 granted Nov. 26, 1955 to Jonathan C. Stimson, the characteristic of which is that within the intended included angle of use, light from any given source impinging upon the reflector is reflected back toward the source. Further, the said prismatic reflector ring 19 is eluminated from within the chamber 20 by means of the reflector 2], later described.

The interior hemisphere 17 is made of any suitable material and the interior pole thereof along the axis a is truncated or otherwise modified to receive and/or hold or amount parts of the light source D. in the preferred form, the truncation or modification is simply an opening 27 through which access is gained to the light source D. As shown, the opening 27 occupies approximately or slightly less than 90 of the spherical pole. Thus, 180 or more of the spherical surface remains and which permits 45 nominal adjustment in all directions as is clearly indicated (a total 90 of adjustment).

The light source D is comprised of an electrical receptacle 28 (suitably wired) that replaceably receives the bulb which is rearwardly extractable, and all of which is carried by the reflector 21. The reflector surrounds the bulb and is faced forwardly to receive light from filament 26 and to reflect the same forwardly into the area of the ring 19, thereby illuminating the ring.

In accordance with the invention, the clamp-rings R are provided to seat upon the mounting panel from the exterior thereof, and to simultaneously fixedly clutch the body B in a selected rotative position. The clamp-rings R are a complementary pair of elements that encircle the major diameter of the body B, in whatever rotative position it might be, being separated by the panel thickness. As shown, the rings are each of approximately 10 thickness with inner spherical clamp faces 29 wedgedly embracing the opposite hemispheres of the body B, and they are drawn together as by means of screw fasteners 30. A compressible gasket seal 3! is provided to occupy the annular space between the rings R and to fill any and all interstices within the opening 10. There are two separable rings 33 and 34, both of which have faces seated against the outside surface of the vehicle body surrounding the opening l0. Ring 33 is shouldered by means of a flange 35 that occupies a complementary recess in ring 34, so that the rings have coplanar engagement upon the gasket seal 31.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a location for the fixture F can be determined and a point made upon the surface of the mounting panel. An, opening 10 of specified diameter is then cut into the panel concentric with said location point. With the body B and light source D related as hereinabove described, the filament and/or light source location has now been immovably determined, and the body B can be revolvably positioned prior to tightening of the clamp-rings R. in practice, the exterior clamp-ring R remains clear of the opening 10, mounting pressure being applied through the compressible gasket seal 31. The said gasket seal 31 can be coated with a contact adhesive or permeated with an adhesive substance and to the end that a water tight and permanent joinder is affected between the fixture F and the mounting panel.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

Having Described my invention, I claim:

1. A light fixture having beam projecting means adapted to be selectively fixed in finite positions as required in an opening through a panel unpredictably disposed at varying angles, both simple and compound, and comprising; a universally revolvable hollow sphere-shaped body held captive within and between a pair of clamp-rings embracing opposite hemispheres of said body and both of which have mounting flanges WhlCh together overlie the exterior of the panel surrounding the opening therethrough, said sphere-shaped body including within it a light sources the beam projecting means being disposed along the polar axis of the sphere and having a polar area exposed within the clamp-rings, and there being securing means fixing the clamprings together and embracing the sphere shaped body and onto the exterior of the panel.

2. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the beam projecting means comprises a Fresnel lens on the axis of the exposed polar area and a surrounding band of prisms having obverse light receiving faces and reverse light transmitting and reflecting faces returning exterior light to its source.

3. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source is at the center of the sphere and wherein the beam projecting means comprises a Fresnel lens at the exposed polar area and a surrounding band of prisms, the lens and prisms being formed of transparent light transmitting material, said prisms having obverse light receiving faces and reverse light transmitting and reflecting faces returning exterior light to its source, and said prism faces refracting light emanating from said light source at the center of the sphere-shaped body.

4. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source is at the center of the sphere and wherein the beam projecting means comprises a Fresnel lens at the exposed polar area and a surrounding band of prisms, the lens and prisms being formed of transparent light transmitting material, a reflector receiving light from said light source at the center of the sphere and concentrating it upon the interior of the surrounding band of prisms, said prisms having obverse light receiving faces and reverse light transmitting and reflecting faces returning exterior light to its source and reflecting light emanating from said light source at the center of the sphere-shaped body.

5. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pair of clamp-rings are secured against a compressible seal at the exterior side of the panel and which presses the clamp rings together and occupies interstices between the clamp-rings and said opening in the panel.

6. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sphere shaped body is made of two hemispheres joined at the major diameter and with the light source captive in working position at the center of the sphere and thereby at the center of said opening through the panel, the entire hemisphere from which the beam projecting means projects light being formed of light transmitting material whereby light is also projected laterally of the fixture. 

1. A light fixture having beam projecting means adapted to be selectively fixed in finite positions as required in an opening through a panel unpredictably disposed at varying angles, both simple and compound, and comprising; a universally revolvable hollow sphere-shaped body held captive within and between a pair of clamp-rings embracing opposite hemispheres of said body and both of which have mounting flanges which together overlie the exterior of the panel surrounding the opening therethrough, said sphere-shaped body including within it a light sources the beam projecting means being disposed along the polar axis of the sphere and having a polar area exposed within the clamp-rings, and there being securing means fixing the clamp-rings together and embracing the sphere shaped body and onto the exterior of the panel.
 2. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the beam projecting means comprises a Fresnel lens on the axis of the exposed polar area and a surrounding band of prisms having obverse light receiving faces and reverse light transmitting and reflecting faces returning exterior light to its source.
 3. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source is at the center of the sphere and wherein the beam projecting means comprises a Fresnel lens at the exposed polar area and a surrounding band of prisms, the lens and prisms being formed of transparent light transmitting material, said prisms having obverse light receiving faces and reverse light transmitting and reflecting faces returning exterior light to its source, and said prism faces refracting light emanating from said light source at the center of the sphere-shaped body.
 4. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source is at the center of the sphere and wherein the beam projecting means comprises a Fresnel lens at the exposed polar area and a surrounding band of prisms, the lens and prisms being formed of transparent light transmitting material, a reflector receiving light from said light source at the center of the sphere and concentrating it upon the interior of the surrounding band of prisms, said prisMs having obverse light receiving faces and reverse light transmitting and reflecting faces returning exterior light to its source and reflecting light emanating from said light source at the center of the sphere-shaped body.
 5. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pair of clamp-rings are secured against a compressible seal at the exterior side of the panel and which presses the clamp-rings together and occupies interstices between the clamp-rings and said opening in the panel.
 6. The selectively positionable light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sphere shaped body is made of two hemispheres joined at the major diameter and with the light source captive in working position at the center of the sphere and thereby at the center of said opening through the panel, the entire hemisphere from which the beam projecting means projects light being formed of light transmitting material whereby light is also projected laterally of the fixture. 